4-Reel Fishin’

Contributed photo Pictured is Robert Brackett holding two 10 pound catfish he caught a few weeks ago while fishing off of the south parking lot at our backyard lake, Lake Mendocino. Meow, meow! Great job Robert!

“It’s that most wonderful time of the year! Ding-dong, Ding-dong, Ding !”

No, it’s not Christmas yet but it is wonderful! The kids are back in school! The last Summer holiday is behind us! Our waterways once again belong to the anglers! And the best fishin’ of the season will soon be here.

The Fall bite is the best because the bass only have one thing on their minds: eat, eat, and eat. Unlike the Spring season, the bass are thinking about spawning and eating. During the Fall it is all about the bass stocking up for the Winter months. Once we get a good week of temperatures down in to 50’s over night, the water temperature will drop. When it gets down to the low 70’s the fall bite will be on! (Great, now that stupid Christmas song is stuck in my head).

CLEAR LAKE:

The lake has continued to get in better and better shape. Pretty much, the algae muck is gone and the mats are only here and there along the shore. Note - Don’t overlook these areas. Some bass fishermen have been doing pretty good fishing a weedless top water lure over the blanket. The strikes have been occurring when the lure breaks into a clearing or the outer edge of the mat. Moving out into deeper water (15 to 25 feet) swimbaits and drop shot have been producing some strikes. Good numbers of bass are being caught. You might have to go through several one pounders to get to a three to five pound fish. Lots of fun! Keeps you on your toes.

Also, I have received reports of catfish being caught off the docks in the Lucerne/Indian Beach areas. Chicken livers and crawdads with a bobber have been working best.

LAKE MENDOCINO:

Our hometown lake is once again a real treat to be on. Not all that many folks on the water. With less fishing pressure, the bass bite will really pick up. The smallmouth bite is a blast. Try fishin’ reaction baits like, swimbaits and crankbaits. Hang on to your pole!

Look for areas that have a rocky shoreline, find the rocks and you have found the smallies! The largemouth bite is also very good right now. Drop shottin’ a Robo Worm or slow draggin’ a sweet beaver or baby brushhog has been working well. The mouth of Barn Cove, Crappie Cove, and the south end of the lake are all good areas to try. Good luck!

LAKE PILLSBURY:

Here is a common response I get from folks about fishin’ Lake Pillsbury. “Oh yeah, boy I haven’t been up there for years.”

If this represents you, you are missing out. The lake up on the mountain is in great shape right now. Especially for this time of the year. There is hardly anyone on the water and it’s almost like you have the whole lake to yourself.

The bass fishin’ has been good as of late. The hot spots have been; the log jam at Sunset, Turtle Cove, and the mouth of the river and the dam area. Pretty much every bass lure has been working well. I encourage you to go relax and enjoy the beauty of Lake Pillsbury.

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Note: the road from Lake County to Lake Pillsbury is probably your best bet. Take it slow and easy.

LAKE SONOMA:

Cherry and Yorty Creeks are still the best places to fish. Drop shottin’ and slow draggin’ plastics has been working well. Also, I got a report of success from an angler who fished a baby bass colored Senko worm rigged wacky style, weightless.

Remember, the bite is the best during the morning hours. Early morning.